Chris Brunt has announced that he is retiring from professional football after 19 years in the sport.
Brunt began his career at Middlesbrough after joining their Academy in 2001 following trials on Teesside and at Rangers, but had to wait until 2003 before making his professional breakthrough following a move to Sheffield Wednesday after signing his first professional contract at Boro a year earlier.
The Northern Ireland international went on to spend 18 years playing for the Owls, West Bromwich Albion and Bristol City, of whom he left via ‘mutual consent’ in January after suffering a serious injury just months after joining the Robins.
Brunt spent the majority of his career at West Brom in which he helped the Baggies across 13 seasons to two promotions from Championship, as well as experience the heartache of two Premier League relegations and suffered an Anterior Cruciate Ligament injury which kept him out of Northern Ireland’s Euro 2016 squad.
Speaking in a statement, Brunt opened by saying; ‘The time has come for me to officially hang up my boots and retire from a game that has given me so much since I first kicked a ball back in Belfast in the late 80s.’
Brunt went on to speak of feeling ‘privileged’ to have had the career that he has had across two decades and placed on record his thanks to everyone who has supported him throughout his playing career across Boro, Sheffield Wednesday, West Brom, Bristol City and Northern Ireland.
Reflecting on the difficulty of little game time and injuries in recent seasons, Brunt spoke of his pride at having taken up a coaching role at West Brom of who he has described as ‘the club I hold dearest’ and has therefore decided that ‘now feels like the right time to retire.’
The 36 year-old also admitted that he is excited for the future and cannot wait to spend more time with his family, who he praised for ‘unconditionally’ supporting him throughout his career.
Brunt will now continue his coaching role at West Brom’s Academy as the Baggies prepare to return to the Sky Bet Championship next season, following relegation from the Premier League after just one season back in England’s top flight.
Here is Brunt’s letter in full below.
The time has come for me to officially hang up my boots and retire from a game that has given me so much since I first kicked a ball back in Belfast in the late 80s.
I feel so privileged to have enjoyed the career I have had and I would like to thank everyone who has helped me along the way for their support.
The last couple of seasons have been difficult due to a lack of playing time, and unfortunately, injuries. I’ve also had the opportunity to begin a coaching role at the club I hold dearest, so now feels like the right time to retire.
I’d like to thank all my coaches, staff and teammates from Middlesbrough, Sheffield Wednesday, West Bromwich Albion, Bristol City and Northern Ireland, for helping me along the way. I’ve appreciated all the support and I’ve enjoyed every minute of it (well, nearly every minute!).
As a young boy growing up in Belfast it was always my dream to be a professional football player and I’m so grateful I’ve been able to live out that dream for the best part of 20 years.
In the future I look forward to focusing on my coaching role with Albion’s academy – but away from football it’s time for me to also enjoy some long-overdue free time with my family, who have supported me unconditionally throughout my career.
It’s been a pleasure.
Brunty
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